Performance

The 2018 Bentley Bentayga luxury crossover SUV is powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine with an output of 600 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. That is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel drive.
The power delivery was immediate upon pressing the gas pedal, and there was no turbo lag at all. The Bentayga Signature reached 60 mph in about four seconds, which was dominant in its category. The transmission changed gears without a hitch and the power delivery was smooth.
Its size did not hinder its cornering ability and it attacked corners like a smaller vehicle. Body roll was minimized by the adaptive suspension and it remained composed through the turn. While the steering was responsive and the effort required to change direction felt balanced, feedback from the pavement was muted.
The brakes offered a robust and linear stopping force, but nosedive was evident because much of its massive powerplant. It was able to stop from 60 mph in 119 feet, which was one of the strongest in its category. The pedal was on the softer side and the response from the brakes was delayed.

Expert Ratings

Performance

Currently 4.75/5

Reliability

Currently 4.00/5

Appearance

Currently 4.50/5

Comfort

Currently 4.75/5

Overall

Currently 4.50/5

ReviewitOnline Ratings are based on a number of factors including reputation, appearance, model age, engine & other comparative aspects.

Technology

The base Onyx Edition trim comes standard with LED headlights, LED taillights, adaptive air suspension, heated rear seats, automatic climate control, paddle shifters, satellite radio, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, voice commands, and an infotainment system with a CD player, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker sound system.
The Activity Edition trim adds power-adjustable rear sunshades and a power liftgate.
The Signature trim includes the base trim’s features and adds several packages. The City Specification adds several advanced safety and driver aids. The Mulliner Driving Specification package adds upgraded interior appointments. The All Terrain Specification package adds four off-road driving modes, auto-dimming mirrors, and Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system (electrically-assisted anti-roll bars for improved cornering in all driving scenarios).
Standalone options include a 12-speaker sound system, an 18-speaker Naim sound system, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.
The top-of-the-line Mulliner trim comes with most features from the preceding trims and upgraded exterior appointments.
The Touring Specification package for the Signature and Mulliner trims adds more advanced safety and driver aids, a heads-up display and a night-vision system with a driver information display.

Safety

The 2018 Bentayga SUV has not been tested by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) yet. So we will update this part upon the availability of the figures from the agencies.
The advanced safety and driver aids of the Bentayga are only available through package options offered separately by Bentley. The add-ons for the luxury crossover include a top-view camera, automatic parking assist, traffic sign recognition, collision detection with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.

Appearance

The 2018 Bentayga has a length of 202.4 inches, a width of 78.7 inches, a height of 68.6 inches, and a wheelbase of 117.9 inches.
The front fascia sports a wide-mouthed center grille that is flanked by dual circular headlights on each side. The muscular rear quarters extend further to combine with the rear bumper. Overall, its design is understated and immediately recognizable as a Bentley.
The base trim starts with 20-inch wheels and has options for up to 22-inch wheels. The panoramic sunroof comes standard with the base trim but roof rails only become available with the Activity Edition. The Mulliner trim is distinguished by its two-tone paint scheme where the roof, pillars, and hood are painted silver.

Comfort

The ground clearance was low enough such that getting inside the vehicle wasn’t a strain to the legs. The doors opened widely to a cabin that can accommodate five people and up to seven people with the optional third-row seats. The front row was the most spacious but the second row had less room for the legs. This was further reduced when trying to recline the seats, where the cushion would slide forward.
The seats were plush and cruising all day was still comfortable. All seats had well-shaped lateral support, which only added to the experience of comfort. The leather upholstery felt supple and was stitched very cleanly. There are many options for the interior trim and was simply finished with a supreme attention to detail.
Even with its sporty handling tendencies, the ride quality was compliant against rough patches on the pavement. The adaptive suspension absorbed the impacts with ease but note that choosing the bigger wheels would be harsher to the ride. Noise from the road and wind were kept at bay and the interior ambiance was luxurious.

Cargo

There is 7.6 cu-ft of space behind the optional third row of seats, and 17.1 cu-ft behind the second row of seats. Folding the second and third rows opens up 62.6 cu-ft of space available for cargo.